Play-off carrot for Red Star

CHAMPS: Eketahuna celebrate their victory in the 2014 Tui Cup final.PHOTO/FILE

Plans are for Masterton Red Star to field a team in the Wairarapa-Bush Rugby Union's senior thirds competition in 2015.

Hopes had been the Colombo Rd-based club would be accepted in the premier division grade after standing aside last season due to a shortage of players but they were left on the outer when the union's council of clubs decided the number of teams competing should remain at eight.

And that providing they fulfilled registration requirements - which they did - they would be the same as last year - Carterton, East Coast, Gladstone, Greytown, Marist, Martinborough, Marist and Pioneer.

There was one important change to the competition format, the introduction of a promotion-relegation match at the end of the season which would provide an opportunity for the senior thirds champion to earn promotion to the top grade in 2016.

It is this change which has played a large part in Masterton Red Star's decision to play at the lower level but whether they will also retain the services of intended coach Corie Karaitiana remains to be seen.

Karaitiana, who took Masterton Red Star to the Tui Cup title in 2009, had been at the forefront of moves aimed at ensuring the club would be competitive in the premier division grade and is reviewing his options now they won't be involved.

"Honestly I'm not sure what I will do. I guess it will all depend on how many of the current players we retain and what their aspirations are," Karaitiana said, saying he had been "very pleased" with the calibre of player they had attracted with a premier division campaign in mind.

Meanwhile, the draw has been confirmed for the premier division competition in 2015 with matches getting under way on April 11.

Defending champions Eketahuna will be at home to East Coast in the opening round while Carterton will host Gladstone, Greytown will play Martinborough at Greytown and Marist and Pioneer will do battle at Memorial Park.